This is a huge problem. The federal government controls the only cannabis that researchers can use, so researchers are being forced to use marijuana that is nothing like what you’d find in any dispensary. The government-provided cannabis is low-potency and contaminated with mold — not qualities desired by patients or researchers. How can anyone do desperately needed research with such awful specimens?

Unfortunately, prohibition is getting in the way of research. Cannabis is a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s (and many other illnesses), but researchers are once again thwarted by a lack of access. One researcher has been waiting for months for the DEA to respond to his request to use cannabis extract on mice. No response. Due to government restrictions, researchers can’t even conduct preliminary studies to help us learn more about how to use medical marijuana; they can’t even give cannabis to mice without the government’s approval.

Due to government restrictions, researchers can’t even conduct preliminary studies to help us learn more about how to use cannabis as medicine. They can’t even give cannabis to mice without the government’s approval.

Cannabis generated more than $500 million dollars in Colorado, Washington, and Oregon in 2016. However, the Arcview Group estimates that only 12.3% of all cannabis sales were taxed, so prohibition could be costing the US $12 billion dollars a year.

Even the cannabis-friendly state of California has been slow to embrace full legalization. After the state voted to legalize, many places simply banned cannabis at the local level. However, as the legalization process unfolds we’re slowly replacing those local prohibitions with regulations. Legalizing cannabis has never been a simple or easy process, but California is proof that good laws make a huge difference at every level.

The differences between medical cannabis and adult use cannabis are mostly semantic. However, until the federal government and public policy catch up with the science of cannabis, we need to maintain protections for medical cannabis. Patients need safe access to the medicine that works for them and should not be taxed for vital medicine.

People don’t meditate because they’re busy and because meditation is hard. Cannabis actually helps with both problems. The right strain of cannabis can make it easier to take a break and spend some time with yourself. It also makes it easier to sit mindfully rather than mentally writing a grocery list as you attempt to meditate.

Research is showing that the terms indica and sativa aren’t very helpful. The line between the two is fuzzy at best and terpenes probably make more of a difference. Until we learn more, the best thing to do is to ignore the label and pay attention to how a strain makes you feel. Talk to your friends and budtenders to learn about how people experience different strains, but don’t worry if your experience is different.

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